VIP
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide
A signaling peptide with broad roles in immunity, inflammation, and blood flow, studied intranasally for chronic inflammatory conditions.
Overview
Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide is a 28-amino-acid signaling peptide with wide effects on immune regulation, inflammation, blood vessel dilation, and circadian rhythm. It has been studied intranasally in chronic inflammatory response syndromes and for pulmonary hypertension, with limited controlled evidence. It is used off-label and compounded in some settings and is not broadly FDA-approved.
Mechanism of action
Activates VPAC receptors to modulate immune and inflammatory signaling, relax smooth muscle, and dilate blood vessels.
Key studies & citations
- Review2004
The significance of vasoactive intestinal peptide in immunomodulation
Reviews VIP as an anti-inflammatory neuropeptide acting on innate and adaptive immune cells.
Pharmacological Reviews - Human2003
Vasoactive intestinal peptide as a new drug for treatment of primary pulmonary hypertension
Small open study: inhaled VIP improved hemodynamics and exercise capacity in primary pulmonary hypertension patients deficient in VIP.
Journal of Clinical Investigation - Human2022
The use of IV vasoactive intestinal peptide (aviptadil) in patients with critical COVID-19 respiratory failure: results of a 60-day randomized controlled trial
196 patients: primary endpoint (alive and free of respiratory failure at day 60) not met; survival odds favored aviptadil in secondary analysis.
Critical Care Medicine
Frequently asked questions
What is VIP used for?
It is studied for chronic inflammatory conditions and certain vascular and lung problems, mostly off-label. Controlled human evidence is limited.